Dora proposed for Fairfield's Village Green
FAIRFIELD – A designated outdoor refreshment area could be coming to Fairfield’s Village Green this summer.
It would be the city’s first foray into the popular venue that suspends the open container laws for adult beverages in a specified area during certain hours that would be set by the city.
“They’re all over … very prevalent throughout the state of Ohio,’’ said Scott Timmer, Fairfield’s city manager.
In Butler County, Doras are in place in Hamilton, Middletown, Oxford and at Liberty Center in Liberty Township.
Where would the Fairfield Dora be?
In Fairfield, the proposed Dora would be 27 acres in the city core that includes the Village Green, nearby commercial, and at the request of council members, the Applebee’s restaurant.
More: Be a Dora explorer with this map of outdoor drinking districts 📍🍸Depending on the response of the public, it could be expanded at a later date to include Riegart Square, Kroger, or other areas, Timmer said.
Based on Fairfield’s size it would be allowed up to three separate Dora’s, Timmer said.
To establish a Dora in Fairfield, there must be at least two establishments with liquor permits in the Dora, Timmer said. Beverages would have to be sold in a marked cup.
Individual businesses could decide whether or not to allow the beverages in their establishments.
Within the proposed boundaries there are several permit holders, including Applebee’s, Berd’s Grill and Bar, the Community Arts Center, Richard’s Pizza and LaPinata.
Dora plan has support from council and law enforcement
Of the businesses contacted so far in the proposed area, none have opposed the idea, said Greg Kathman, the city’s director of development services.
The city has received positive feedback from Nick Grammas, owner of the Village Green shopping center and three other businesses on the proposed Dora, Kathman said.
Benefits to having a Dora could include increased attendance at city events, programming, or festivals and increased use of Village Green Park as well as increased visitors to nearby restaurants and other businesses, Timmer and Kathman said.
Police Chief Stephen Maynard said he has talked with other police chiefs in communities with Doras and said he doesn’t think a Dora would encourage drunk or disorderly behavior.
“I don’t believe this going to be problematic,’’ the chief said. “If it becomes a big problem, all we do is pull the plug.”
Neighbors of the proposed Dora will have a chance to weigh in
Councilman Tim Abbott suggested the city contact residents in the neighborhood surrounding the green for their input but was in favor of the move.
“I think we should test the waters and see if it will work.”
As required by law, Timmer will prepare the required paperwork, including maps along with plans for public safety and health.
A public hearing on the matter will be conducted May 23, with a June 13 vote before it is sent to the Ohio Division of Liquor for processing.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Dora proposed for Fairfield's Village Green
